Over The River and Through The Woods

Runners competing in the Trail Runner Trophy Series presented by GORE-TEX travel the country

Runners competing in the Trail Runner Trophy Series presented by GORE-TEX travel the country

For many runners, participating in the Trail Runner Trophy Series presented by GORE-TEX, is a chance to explore. “The best part of the series is the travel,” says Trophy Series runner Steven Baber, 54, of Indianapolis, Indiana. Baber, who is currently leading the 50-plus age group in the Non-Ultra Division, says that through the series he’s not only travelled to many new locations, “I’ve visited places that I haven’t been to in over 30 years.” Since the series’ start in March, Baber has completed 14 races and intends to complete several more.

On top of the travel, trail variety encourages runners to compete in more off-road events. Daniel Campbell, 46, of Mount Gilead, Ohio, cites trail diversity as a driving force for his Trophy Series racing this year. “In just one race, I’ve run on asphalt, gravel roads, dirt roads, grass, singletrack and across streams and wooden bridges.”

Campbell is currently leading the 40- to 49-age-group division (with 11 races reflected in the current point standings), and just ran his 16th Trophy Series race over the weekend—the Run For Hunger Trail Challenge in Freeport, Pennsylvania.

Well on his way to winning the Mile Mogul award too (a Trail Striders running vacation), Campbell says he has five more Trophy Series races on his calendar. “I’ll be traveling to Pennsylvania, Michigan, Indiana, Illinois and Tennessee.”

If you’re running the Trophy Series, we’d love to hear what your series highlight has been so far. What keeps you coming back for more Trail Runner Trophy Series races? (Use the comment field below to let us know.)

**Unfortunately, due to high race volume over the past couple of weeks, our current results only reflect results received by August 14.**